saw superstorm san joaquin smash into -- sandy smash into new jersey and new york with devastating results. loss of life, incredible loss of property, both public and private, and a very, very big cleanup bill. joining me in a little while will be some of our representatives from the state of new york. and they'll talk about that in detail. but before sandy ever hit the coast there was a need here in america to protect americans from storms and floods. we know what happens when the protection wasn't there. devastating results. today in the news in california, northern california , there is on the headlines a series of storms coming into northern california, into my district, into where my home is, and the word is, get ready for serious flooding. i mean, this is very early in the season. although californians with any memory at all will know that there are a series of infamous christmas floods in northern california. now, this is really a thanksgiving flood potential. but nonetheless it's there. and i will tell you clearly that the sacramento region, which is the second most risky r